Fireworks expected at LULAC national convention

One side says the current leadership is corrupt, that it has stolen elections, even sold its property under the table and will do anything to remain in power.

Leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens, on the other hand, say their critics have fabricated accusations and so want to take over the organization they deliberately have created chaos at state conventions leading up to Monday's opening of the 84th annual LULAC national convention.

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It may be a tough year for the organization to recite its motto — “All for One, One for All.”

As many as 20,000 participants are expected in Las Vegas' Caesars Palace for a six-day series of workshops and meetings in which LULAC, the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, will set policies and discuss major issues.

Vice President Joe Biden will address the convention, as will Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, among others.

But the main event is likely to be Saturday's national elections, which could get as noisy as a Vegas boxing match.

In one corner is Dallas attorney Domingo Garcia, a former city councilman and state representative seeking a chance to run for president in spite of a LULAC lawsuit and ruling that found him ineligible.

In the other corner is LULAC national president Margaret Moran of San Antonio, seeking re-election. She has not returned calls seeking comment since the Texas convention June 2 in San Antonio, which broke up when Linda P. Chavez of Austin was prevented from running for state director.

Chavez had been elected state director last year, then ousted by the organization. LULAC also sued her and several others for trademark infringement, and LULAC attorney Luis Vera said the court order barred her from seeking a LULAC office.

Her supporters disagreed and erupted in anger. The convention ended when Bexar County constables hired by Vera for security cleared some of them from a hotel meeting room and called San Antonio police for backup. Nobody was arrested.

State director Elia Mendoza, appointed last year by LULAC leaders after they ousted Chavez, said she was elected “by acclamation” and then appointed the rest of the Texas board.

Several LULAC members said similar disruptions have occurred at other state conventions.

Vera, a San Antonio lawyer, said the turmoil was orchestrated by Garcia and his supporters, who were engaging in “a hostile takeover.”

Garcia has made no secret of his belief that Moran's presidency is corrupt. He said she arranged the organization's first-ever $60,000-a-year compensation for her office at the last national convention, a sum he vows to give in scholarships if elected.

More Information

LULAC would not comment on the alleged salary or stipend. A spokeswoman said in an email, “We don't disclose any staff pay or benefits.”

Moran holds an elected position, not a staff position.

As a nonprofit 501c 3 organization, such information is public, but the latest Internal Revenue Service Form 990 available online was for 2011 and contains no reported salary for Moran that year.

The form does list $55,525 in compensation for Guadalupe Morales, LULAC's national membership director, and a $40,000 salary for national executive director Brent A. Wilkes. It also listed $191,276 in “other salaries and wages.”

Delegates say they've been unable to question LULAC officials about Moran's salary and handling of LULAC assets. They have said LULAC properties in Corpus Christi and Kingsville were sold without members' knowledge.

The two camps have accused each other of helping pay their backers to attend conventions.

The organization won a lawsuit against Garcia over his eligibility to run, citing unpaid dues. Garcia said he paid a $1,000 lifetime membership, which Vera acknowledged. Garcia admitted his state and district dues were late. He said LULAC rules allow him to seek a two-thirds majority floor vote on his eligibility to run against Moran.

The convention's theme in Las Vegas will be “Lifting Our Voices through Civic Participation” and it will include separate tracks for youth and young adults. Members from 900 LULAC councils nationwide are expected.

The main assembly opens Wednesday and reconvenes Friday and Saturday. Convention sponsors are a who's who of U.S. corporations, including Wal-Mart, Walt Disney Co., Ford Motor Co. and Southwest Airlines.